SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - The sale of a crate of 20 mangos at the annual Sydney Markets' charity auction raised a whopping $26,000 for charities such as The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Save Our Sons thanks to the more than generous bid of Aussie Roma Fresh owner Moustapha Obeid.
Even if it meant spending $1,300 a mango, Obeid told reporters at the Daily Telegraph that the bid was money well spent.
“I wasn’t going to let it go. I had my sights set on it,” Obeid said. “It was all for a good cause so it’s all right. Whatever you can give to help the child and the needy people.”
Nick Martelli, Chairman of the Mango Committee, said that he was incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity shown at Sydney Markets.
“It’s a great event every year,” Martelli said. “It’s the industry coming together to gather funds for the needy...[while] letting people know the season is beginning.”
According to the Daily Telegraph, other items auctioned off during the event included a hot air balloon ride and dinner for 10 people at The Ivy on Melbourne Cup.
It's great to see members of the produce industry giving back to great causes like this. It really shows you that the industry has its heart, and its wallet, in the right place.
